212 HUNTING SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



gress was slow. My feet too were uncovered, and, from 

 the thorns of the various prickly plants, were much lace- 

 rated ; in consequence of which, on returning to my late 

 bivouack, I was obliged to shorten the legs of my trousers 

 to procure bandages for them. The wolf did not make 

 his appearance ; but during the night I got occasional 

 starts from several of his brethren of the forest. 



I anticipated the rising of the sun on the morning of 

 the 23d, and having been unsuccessful the two preceding 

 days, determined to shape my course due north, and if 

 possible not return again to the lake. During the day I 

 skirted the wood, and fell on some old tracks, which re- 

 vived my hopes a little. The country to the westward 

 was chiefly plains, covered with parched grass, and occa- 

 sionally enlivened by savannas of refreshing green, full 

 of wild flowers and aromatic herbs, among which the bee 

 and humming-bird banqueted. I slept this evening by a 

 small brook, where I collected cherries and haws enough 

 to make a hearty supper. I was obliged to make farther 

 encroachments on the legs of my trowsers for fresh band- 

 ages for my feet. During the night I was serenaded by 

 music which did not resemble " a concord of most sweet 

 sounds;" in which the grumbling. bass of the bears was 

 at times drowned by the less pleasing sharps of the wolves. 

 I partially covered my body this night with some pieces 

 of pine bark which I stripped off a sapless tree. 



The country through which I dragged my tired limbs 

 on the 24th was thinly wooded. My course was north 

 and northeast. I suffered much from want of water, 

 having got, during the day, only two tepid and nause- 

 ous draughts from stagnant pools which the long drought 



